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You can say that Debbie Crocker is the artistic type. A decorator who enjoys making her own home accessories such as custom drapery and floral wreaths, Crocker takes great pride in her home's appearance.

When it comes to her outdoor space, Crocker is a bit of a perfectionist. She is constantly looking for ways to improve her garden, joking that she is the artistic director and her husband Bill is the laborer.

Like a canvas, Debbie Crocker enjoys painting her garden with myriad colors all seasons. From the Japanese maples that dot their landscape to delicate Sweet William flowers, the Crockers' garden is a work of art.

"This is our little heaven," Debbie Crocker said.

A self-taught gardener, it was through trial and error that she began to get a sense as to what works in her garden.

"The first year it sleeps, the second year it creeps and the third year it leaps," Debbie Crocker said, adding that it takes a few years for the garden to settle in.

A path made from river rock cuts through a small flower bed. Paths and walls throughout the garden were all created by Bill Crocker, who for the last 30 years has been collecting the smooth edged river rocks from near a hunting camp he and family use in Pennsylvania. SHAWN DOWD/@sdowdphoto/, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Some plants just don't work in every garden, she said. Such as the invasive forget-me-nots. They were very aggressive and took over much of her shade garden. While the purple flowers were attractive, the Crockers opted to pull them out.

"Plants will tell you how they like to be treated," Debbie Crocker said.

When it comes to design, Debbie Crocker is careful to balance colors with shapes and heights. Blending purples with pinks, Crocker has climbing Clematis as the tallest plant, followed in the middle by wisteria and pink peonies below.

She is a collector of bird houses, purchasing them wherever she sees an interesting vendor. The assortment of colorful bird houses blends perfectly with her flowering garden, as the houses are also neatly arranged in a variety of heights.

Symmetry is also very important when it comes to garden design, Debbie Crocker said. The garden is paved with curved walkways, an element of design that brings symmetry, Debbie Crocker said, explaining that straight lines create harsh edges.

Visitors will find Debbie's Crocker's floral arrangements through out the home, both inside and outside in the garden. She has a side business selling floral wreaths and swags. Many of her wreath creations feature the rustic, natural look, including feathers and cones that are currently all the design rage. The natural look blends in well with outdoor scenery.

The garden is a constant work in progress as Debbie Crocker likes to change things up. The Crockers enjoy visiting area nurseries and always find new plant treasures, with Debbie art directing Bill.

"He always asks 'are you sure you want it there?' when he's digging," Debbie Crocker said. "I say, for now I do."

MCHAO@DemocratandChronicle.com

Great Gardens

Great Gardens is an occasional series highlight our area's spectacular yards. Each month during the warm-weather season, staff writer Mary Chao will feature one of the region's great gardens and profile the people behind the artistic creations. To suggest a garden or gardeners, email Chao at MCHAO@DemocratandChronicle.com.